Sunday, 23 July 2017

First I want to say a huge thanks to all my commenters, thank you for supporting me throughout the Winter Learning Journey. Also like to say thanks to Rachel and her helper Jacinta for their amazing and warming feed backs. Thanks for giving not only me but the rest of St pius X students who participated in the Winter Learning Journey the free opportunity to learn hugely from these helpful and interesting activities you have provided. I'm very happy that Winter learning Journey came to my life because it keeps me in track with my learning at school.May God bless you all!

Bonus Activity: On your blog, post a video or write a description about your week. What have you learned? What did you like about the trip? What didn’t you like? Was there anything that surprised you?

To earn full points for this activity, you must talk about what you learned, what you liked and what you about your great kiwi road trip.

1. What have you learned?

I learnt that it's very important to care for country,the environment and our sea animals. I'm so glad that I got to learn more about NZ and the important events like matriki and the amazing and fascinating places where in Nz. I learnt about the people of NZ and how they are known as kiwi's. I also learnt that It's important for us children to never give up in any rough and hard situations no matter what and that bold message is from a lovely movie called Wild Ride. Yeah so that's all the things I got out form this Winter learning journey I'm proud of myself that I got to learn so much.

2. What did you like about the trip?

I like how I got to write a story about how I got lost in the forest.

3. What didn’t you like?

To be honest I enjoyed everything from the Winter Activities because all the activites were fun and simple to follow.

4.Was there anything that surprised you?

I think I was surprised that Laura Dekker sailed across the pacific and how she experienced amazing islands and how disappointed she was to leave those fascinating islands, It's amazing for her especially when she started sailing at a young age wow!

Activity 2: After you have finished up in Taupo, it is time to hop back in the car and head for Rotorua– a town where will have the chance for some much needed rest and relaxation. In fact, you will visit the Tarawera Bush Pool – a geothermal hot pool that is located in the middle of a forest. The warm water in the pool comes from underneath the ground. After a few hours in the pool you feel really relaxed.

On your blog, post a picture of yourself doing something relaxing. I find reading really relaxing. Here is a picture of me reading one of my favourite books!

After a long soak in the natural hot pools, it is time to get back home. Your family and friends can’t wait to see you and they can’t wait to hear all about your adventures. Take a moment to think about what you have seen and done over the past week.

I find 2 things relaxing and that's reading and drawing!

I love reading :) reading is the best way to watch a movie when you don't have a T.V or wifi. Reading is like a picture. When you read something a picture slowly starts to appear in your mind. Reading can turn you into your imagination which brings enjoyment and fun while you're reading a book! To my experiences in reading I believe that whatever book I read, it's always connected to my emotions and feelings.. you're probably wondering how? well e.g when you read something scary? you suddenly get that feeling that you're scared..right? yeah that's exactly what I'm talking about.

I started drawing when I reached the age of 9 and when I started to grew up I received the passion towards art and drawing. At the age of 12 I finally believed that I was talented and that my gift was drawing. Now that I'm 13 I've been drawing nonstop because I'm preparing my talent for high school and what I can specifically do with it. Drawing helps me calm down from anger and frustration. Drawing helps make me happy. Drawing is indeed one of my relaxing thing to do!

Activity 1: While in Taupo, you go for a walk around the lake and you notice pieces of rubbish floating in the water. You also notice that there is rubbish on the footpath. As you know, it is really important to putrubbish in the bin and keep New Zealand clean and beautiful for generations to come. With that in mind, it is time think about what you can do to keep New Zealand beautiful. Use your imagination and come up with three things that you could do to make your neighbourhood more beautiful. Post your list on your blog ☺

Make NZ beautiful:

1. I could print posters and spread them along Glen Innes warning; Have you ever wanted to live on a beatiful country with no littering and no killing animals? Well if your interested follow this simple instruction and you will actually see our country NZ rise beatiful again.

Instructions: wherever you go whether is public or nonpublic check if there's rubbish and if you spot one just pick it up and threw it in the bin ( if you're too scared to pick any rubbish because your friends might caught you and laugh or they might stare at you as if you're an alien it's best that you do it because you have the right to and don't listen to them they're not the boss of you, don't worry one day God will give you blessings for participating to take care and love the world. Let's make NZ a beatiful country again!

2. I could ask my neighbors if they don't have the time I would love to water their garden, sweep the steps. I could also pick up any rubbish along the fences around the backyard through the trees and as for my goal the outside needs to be spotless! Like its fun I don't mind cleaning and I really don't mind picking up rubbish reason why? well it's better then doing nothing you know!

Saturday, 22 July 2017

Bonus Activity: As part of the Matariki festival, there is a two day Kapa Hakacompetition.The haka is a traditional war dance that Maori performed before going into battle. The hakais now performed by children/adults in the community and by professional sporting teams, including our national rugby team, the ‘All Blacks.’ The All Blacks have performed various haka over the years. Watch the following three haka videos (1 – 3) and, on your blog, list the haka videos in order from best (#1) to worst (#3). There are no right or wrong answers ☺

At the end of your day at Te Papa, you head to your hotel in the centre of Wellington. You are staying on Cuba Street, one of thecoolest streets in the city.

Think the best one would be the:

1. (BEST)All Blacks vs South Africa 2016 - because they performed well and I can tell by there actions that they will never give up in any game and will continuously strive for the best not only that but they are cooperating together. What's really amazing about this haka dance is that I can see that the actions are coming from their heart crying out they really mean it I really found this haka pleasing and very entertaining in fact I watched it twice because it's just too good.

I think the OK one would have to go to the

2. World Cup 2015 – All Blacks vs Argentina - because their voices were not strong enough I mean the actions and everything was fine it's just that the leader of the haka and everyone in the team did not really have that strong voice.

This one would have to the work haka:

3. Rugby World Cup 2011- All Blacks vs Francebecause their action was uneven. What I'm trying to say here is that half of the haka members were kneeling down fast and the other half was taking there time and it really looks bad because it really shows that they're just doing it for nothing and that it's not coming from there heart. My advice for them: they need to work on their timing and their voices :) that's all ..

Activity 2: After visiting Shag Point, you hop back in the van and drive all the way up the east coast of the south island until you reach the town of Picton. You get out of the van and onto the Interislander ferry. It travels back across the Cook Strait to Wellington.Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and every winter the city hosts a huge Matariki festival to celebrate the Maori New Year. This year part of the festival is being held at Te Papa, a big museum in Wellington.

Read about the Matariki festival at Te Papa. There are so many different things to see and do at the festival this year. On your blog, tell us about three of the events. You can choose any three events that you wish.

1. Te Whare Mātoro: Haka fusion

Te whare Matoro were a maori community people based " houses" of entertainment for young people. They were called the 'night club' of the village. Young woman and men would contribute in entertainment known by the young people around the world. See the amazing performance young people as they used parts for traditional kapa haka which is known in maori action songs together with music,dance and theatre to create 'Haka fusion'

2.Tīramarama: Storytelling for kids

Tiramarama is a programme storytelling for the children. Spoken in both Maori and English, the goal of the programme is to entertain and spread delightfulness amongst young ones of the family.

A number of different types of stories were told as stories of heroes, adventures and on wards but most importantly the story of Matariki and its appearance in the night sky.

3.Matariki Fireworks

Wellington CIty council are lighting up the sky with outstanding fireworks showing all over the harbour. The fire works will only be displayed for just 10 min.

Friday, 14 July 2017

Activity 1: Let’s imagine that you were on the first waka to arrive at Shag Point. You had never been to New Zealand before and you had no idea what to expect. Write a poem describing how you would have felt when you arrived in New Zealand. Would you have been excited or scared? I would have felt pretty nervous, I reckon…

My poem: I was utterly nervous and scared I’m Scared like a mouse being frightened to death I’m Nervous as if I’m going to say a speech in front of thousands of audiences. I’m Scared and Nervous because I’m worried. I’m Worried like a Mum that has lost her child.

Bonus Activity: You and your tour group have enjoyed your day in the mountains but you’re ready for a change of scenery. You ask Curious Kiwi to take you to Central Otago, a region of the south island with lots of rolling hills and flat, brown grasslands. While in Central Otago, you decide to join the Otago Central Rail Trail– a 150 km long cycle trail. Curious Kiwi and I (Rachel) cycled the Rail Trail in April and we loved it!

On your blog, tell us whether you would like to cycle the Otago Rail Trail one day. Does it sound like fun? Why or why not?

Rachel on the Otago Rail Trail, April 2017

Bonus Activity: 10 points

Yes it would be a great adventurous trip to cycle the Otago rail trail because you come across beautiful surroundings e.g like trees, different types of birds flowing about and also the fascinating Nature.

Thursday, 13 July 2017

Activity 2: Now it is your turn to learn about a famous New Zealander. Use Google to research one famous person from New Zealand and then create a DLO and post it on your blog. Be sure to include: 1. The name of the famous person, 2. Where they were born, 3. Why they are famous, and 4. Two other interesting facts about them.

Activity 1: After a few hours in the car, you, your group and Curious Kiwi arrive at your first stop – The Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve. It is a beautiful, regional park located at the base of the Southern Alps. You and your group get out of the van and follow Curious Kiwi. He is going to lead you on a short walk through the park. As you start walking, you notice a really cool looking tree on the side of the trail and you stop to take a closer look. When you turn back, the group (and Curious Kiwi) is nowhere to be found. Eek! You are all alone in the middle of a strange forest.

For this activity write a short story (8-10 sentences) about what might happen next. Please be sure to include lots of details about what you might be feeling, seeing and doing after you realise that you are all alone in the forest…

“Huh? Wait.. where did everyone go?”

I stared at the tree as if it was a huge sack of shiney gold, my eyes sparkled as I whispered to the tree “you’re the most beautiful tree I’ve ever encountered”. A smiled zoomed across my face. I badly wanted a photo of me and this magnificent tree so I quickly turned to ask someone if they could take my photo before we move on to the next location but to my surprise my group . At first I acted like everything was going to be fine but inside I was totally the opposite. I looked confus around as sweat dropped down my as if my family had abandoned me. I walked an rushed into a J through the forest and suddenly came to a halt, I see something moving from behind the bushes I grabbed a small rock from the ground without even thinking and threw it towards the bush. “ouch!” a voice cried softly. Then a familiar head popped out. “Oh thank goodness we found you” said the guy who lead us through this trial. The group was behind him. WoW! The group was so quiet that I never heard a single sound from them. Boy was I relieve!

Bonus Activity: Hector’s dolphins are a very special native animal found only in New Zealand. They are the smallest dolphin in the world measuring 1.5 metres long and they are quite rare. Sadly, many Hector’s dolphins are killed every year when they get caught in large fishing nets and can’t escape. Some people have argued that fishermen shouldn’t be allowed to fish in Farewell Spit in order to protect the dolphins living there. What do you think? On your blog, tell us whether you think that fishing in Farewell Spit should be banned (stopped).

Well to me I would definitely agreed that this matter should stop at once because they are killing one of New Zealand sea animals and it’s sad to see them die because Hector dolphin are one of my favourite sea animals . We could protect the Hector dolphin instead of hurting them please!!!

Activity 2: After a morning of learning about beached whales in Golden Bay, you and your group are driven to a nearby town, Nelson, to watch a special movie called ‘Whale rider.’ It is a famous movie about a young girl who was born and raised in New Zealand. Watch the following movie trailers for Whale Rider: Whale Rider trailer #1 and Whale Rider Trailer #2 and then write a summary of the movie on your blog. What is it about? Be sure to also give the movie a rating out of 5 based on the trailer [1 = bad movie, 2 = okay movie, 3 = pretty good, 4 = good movie, 5 = excellent movie].

When ‘Whale Rider’ finishes, you and your tour group enjoy a delicious meal in downtown Nelson before heading back to your hotel. You need to go to bed early because you have to get up at 4:30 a.m. the next morning to travel back to Farewell Spit to see a group (pod) of Hector’s Dolphins. It is going to be an early morning!

I rate this movie as = 5 excellent movie - because I was inspired by this movie and because there was a powerful message behind it and that message was to never give up and keep striving, no one will stop you if you just keep on going.

Summary of the amazing movie b ”Whale Rider”:

This Whale Rider movie is an extraordinary and fascinating movie about a little girl.

A very long time ago there was a man and his name was Pikia he sailed to a land ontop of a whale and became the leader of the land. In every generation of this girl's family if a boy was to be raised he is to be named after Pikia and will be established as the next leader.

Unfortunately the boy passed away but the girl was alive. So the girl was then labeled as Pikia and though some people were disgraced at this new tradition Pikia ignored and never gave up. She proved to them that she’s not only a girl but a strong and bright leader.

Activity 1: When you arrive in the south island, Curious Kiwirents a shuttle van and drives your group from Picton (the town where the ferry dropped you off) to a beautiful beach on the opposite side of the island. The beach area is called Golden Bay and, at one end of the bay, is a stunning area called Farewell Spit.

http://www.kiwidaydreaming.com/p/new-zealand-maps.html

Farewell Spit has been in the news recently as a number of whales accidentally swam into the spit and became stuck on the beach. They were unable to swim back to the ocean because the water was too shallow. Many local people tried to save the ‘beached’ whales. Please follow this Farewell Spit link to learn more about what happened. On your blog, describe what the local people did to try and save the beached whales.

Describing on how the local people saved the whales:

The local people took care of the whales by covering their body with water, spreading towels on top of them, making sure that the blowhole is clear for the whale to breath and lastly they kept well away from the tail.

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Bonus Activity: A really cool new website called Wild Eyes has recently been launched in New Zealand. It is a programme for students who want to complete fun activities (called ‘missions’), take pictures and post them on the Wild Eyes site. For this bonus activity, go to the Wild Eyes site and complete the ‘Giant Moa Discovery’ mission. To earn full points you must post a picture of your Moa on the Wild Eyes websiteandon your personal blog site. The Wild Eyes team and I can’t wait to see what you create!

Activity 2: On your blog, tell us whether you agree that New Zealand should be predator free. In your opinion, is it right to kill all of the predators (eg. possums) or should we just leave them alone? On your blog tell us what you think and give us, at least, three reasons why you think this way.

I’m completely against killing predators because….. ( reasons below)

We could turn their precious lives around! We could actually switch the predators into good animals..how? = like spending more time with them, teaching them the good stuff,or perhaps taking care of them and looking for a safe place where they would like to stay.

Predators are God’s creation. If there was a chance of distinguishing all predators you will realize that you're actually killing one part of the earth… how? Well predators are God’s creation and God’s creation are all the type things that is simply on this earth.

Activity 1: On your blog, tell us the name of the animal that you chose and a little bit about them. What kind of animal are they? What do they eat? Where do they normally live? You can use Google to help you with your research.